KarenI looked out the window of the room we were staying in, and the view was truly spectacular. The sea was right there, so close, and the entire pool complex was inviting for a swim. But I was too nervous to enjoy these wonders. It was my wedding day. The big day had finally arrived.I returned to the front of the mirror and stared at myself. Was I really beautiful or were my friends just trying to please me? I let the question slip out loud, and I saw Letícia and Camila rolling their eyes simultaneously. It's amazing how they seem to be in sync as if they've known each other for much longer than they have.These moments of relaxation are a relief for the nerves that are on edge. After all, today is the day I take one of the most important steps of my life, alongside the man I love. But even with all the anxiety, I feel blessed to have so many special people with me on that day.After finding out that I was indeed pregnant, I sought out Dr. Letícia Bernardi and shared the news with
**Letícia**I was thrilled to see Karen so happy and radiant. Othon Arraes, the man about to become her husband, was a familiar figure to me, though we had never spoken directly. As the director of the hospital where I work, I have heard many stories about his integrity and character. He is a fair man, always committed to improving both patient care and working conditions for the staff. It was comforting to know that Karen was marrying someone so admirable.The setting was breathtaking: the central aisle set up in one of the resort's gardens where we were staying, surrounded by flowers and under a flawlessly blue sky. Karen's father was by her side, visibly emotional, ready to walk her down the aisle. Camila and I took our places near the altar, where Othon and his groomsmen were already waiting.I had yet to meet the groom's friends, Noah and Colin, although I had heard a lot about them. The previous night had been quiet for me; I preferred to stay in my room, while today was dedicate
**Colin**I was quite surprised by the coincidence in front of me. Discovering that the woman with whom I had a drunken night and woke up in bed was also a friend of Karen's was quite unsettling. Not just a friend. She was also a doctor working at the same hospital where Othon was the director and Karen a nurse. It was too much of a coincidence.The fact is that from the moment I recognized her as the woman from the hotel, I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was as if a magnet was constantly pulling me towards her. But Letícia Bernardi, as I discovered her name to be, didn't seem even remotely interested in me. On the contrary, the times she glanced in my direction, there was something very much like hurt and resentment in her eyes, which was quite strange.I couldn't understand her reaction. Sure, I didn’t get in touch after that night, but how could I? We didn't even exchange pleasantries the next morning. Being honest with myself, I also had to admit that I hadn't thought about her
**Letícia**I couldn’t believe Colin’s audacity. What happened to make him decide that I now deserved his attention? I left the elevator feeling furious. I entered the suite reserved for me and tried to calm down. I closed my eyes and did a controlled breathing exercise. He wouldn’t be able to affect me. I wouldn’t let him have that power over me.Determined not to let Colin shake me and now feeling calmer, I decided I wouldn’t stay at the resort the next day. I didn’t want any more encounters with him. Finding out that he and Othon were great friends made everything more complicated. I knew Colin would also be at the resort to enjoy the day with his friends, just as planned.Without wasting time, I started packing my suitcase. I had brought only one for the weekend. With everythin
**Colin**I woke up feeling anxious. After my failed attempt to talk to Cecília the night before, I spent a lot of time recalling our meeting at the hotel bar a few months ago, trying to remember anything I might have said or done to cause such anger in her. I couldn't understand, and for some strange reason, I couldn't get her out of my head. Perhaps finally giving up on Valquíria had left me open to new possibilities, and Letícia had resurfaced at this exact moment in my life.With renewed energy, I went down to the resort restaurant for breakfast. Even though I was frustrated by how Letícia treated me the night before, I felt excited about what the day might bring. I needed to figure out what I had done to make Letícia so angry with me and try to fix it.Upon enter
KarenFatigue enveloped me completely after long hours on duty at the hospital. The smell of clean corridors, permeated by the antiseptic odor, became suffocating. My head throbbed, and a growing sense of malaise began to overwhelm me. Ignoring the signs wasn't an option, so finally, I succumbed to weakness and sought help in the same place where I used to offer it: the hospital.The doctor, solemn and thoughtful, explained the stress overload and the need for immediate rest. I understood the gravity of the situation, but my mind insisted on focusing on another concern. Max, my fiancé, wasn't answering my calls. Where could he be? Why wasn't he answering just when I needed him the most?I decided to go straight to Max's apartment, ignoring the advice to rest, longing for the comforting embrace of my fiancé. Upon arriving at the apartment and turning the key in the lock, the scene before my eyes was confusing. Clothes scattered on the floor, and a heavy silence hung in the air, despite
KarenI had no idea how long I had been sprawled on the couch, still wearing the same clothes I had worn to leave the hospital and go to Max's apartment, something that seemed to have happened centuries ago. The pain of betrayal cuts deeper than I could imagine. The tears had dried up, but I still hadn't fully processed the scene in that damned traitor's living room.At that moment, the annoying sound of the doorbell began to echo through the apartment. Initially, I ignored it, hoping that the person on the other side would understand that I wasn't willing to receive visitors. However, the insistence only grew, and the doorbell continued to ring, tirelessly. I glanced at the clock on the wall, hoping that time had passed faster than I realized, but each second seemed like an eternity.With no notification from the front desk about visitors, I finally realized it could only be one person: Camila, my best friend and apartment neighbor. The thought of facing someone in the sorry state I
OthonThe night is progressing, and how much I've already drunk is a mystery to me. I'm in a state of relaxation that only vacations can provide. I still maintain enough sobriety to admire the natural beauty before me. And when I talk about natural beauty, I'm not exactly thinking about nature itself. I make this observation to my friends, who laugh in response."The problem is you only keep looking, Othon," Colin complains."And I don't understand why. Are you saving yourself for the love of your life?" The question comes from Noah, who grimaces just at the mention of the word "love.""Maybe…" I give the same answer as always.The atmosphere is quite lively on another day of vacation in Fernando de Noronha. Colin, Noah, and I are making the most of this paradise of sun and sea. We're completely different, but from the moment we met, we became inseparable friends, always choosing the same destination for our vacations.I continue sipping my drink calmly when I notice the entrance of a